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Company Information/Molecular diagnostics
Berlin, Germany, and Laval, QC, Canada, December 6, 2010 (euro adhoc)
- Epigenomics AG (Frankfurt Prime Standard: ECX), a cancer molecular
diagnostics company and Warnex Medical Laboratories, a division of
Warnex Inc. (TSX: WNX), today announced the launch of a molecular
diagnostic blood testing service for colorectal cancer in Canada,
based on Epigenomics' patented biomarker Septin9 and DNA methylation
technologies. Warnex is the first laboratory to offer Septin9 testing
in Canada, after obtaining the non-exclusive rights from Epigenomics
in May 2010. Prior to its launch, Warnex's Septin9 test was
independently developed and successfully validated using clinical
blood samples from colorectal cancer patients and individuals with no
apparent disease as verified by colonoscopy.
"Colorectal cancer is curable if caught early enough and blood tests
like this may play an important role in saving lives. We are
delighted that patients in Canada will now also be able to benefit
from Septin9 testing, alongside patients in the United States, Europe
and the Middle East," commented Geert Nygaard, Chief Executive
Officer of Epigenomics.
"We are pleased to add this colorectal cancer test based on real-time
PCR technology to our service offering as part of our continued
commitment to delivering the most advanced specialized diagnostic
services to Canadian healthcare professionals," said Mark Busgang,
President and CEO of Warnex. "The Septin9 test is a convenient and
specific blood test for colorectal cancer detection that can easily
be integrated into the patient's routine physical, as it is
non-invasive and does not require any drug or dietary restrictions."
Colorectal cancer is the second-leading cause of cancer deaths in
Canada. In 2009, an estimated 22,000 Canadians were diagnosed with
the disease and 9,100 died from it. As colorectal cancer is largely
curable when detected in early, still localized stages, the
Colorectal Cancer Association of Canada recommends that all Canadians
age 50 and over undergo screening with a test detecting blood in
stool (fecal occult blood test or fecal immunochemical test) at least
once every two years. If a test is positive for blood, a colonoscopy
should be performed to determine the cause of bleeding. Despite the
clear benefits of colorectal cancer screening in reducing mortality
from this disease, only 4% to 14% of eligible Canadians follow the
screening recommendations. Innovative convenient screening methods
could greatly increase compliance with current guidelines and thereby
contribute to reducing mortality from colorectal cancer.
Note to the editor
To view the brochure for Warnex's Septin9 Blood Test, please follow
this link: http://www.warnex.ca/docs/Septin9.pdf
Contact Epigenomics AG
Dr. Achim Plum
Sen. VP Corporate Development
Epigenomics AG
Tel +49 (0) 30 24345 368
pr@epigenomics.comwww.epigenomics.com
Contact Warnex
Catherine Sartoros
Communications Specialist
Warnex Inc.
+1 450-663-6724 x 277
csartoros@warnex.ca
About Epigenomics
Epigenomics AG is a molecular diagnostics company with a focus on the
development of novel products for cancer. Using DNA methylation
biomarkers, Epigenomics' tests on the market and in development for
colorectal, lung, and prostate cancer aim at aiding in an earlier and
more accurate diagnosis of these diseases, thereby potentially
increasing the patient's chances of survival.
For development and global commercialization of IVD test products,
Epigenomics pursues a dual business strategy in which direct
commercialization of proprietary diagnostic test products is combined
with non-exclusive licensing to diagnostic industry players with
broad customer access. Strategic diagnostics industry partners
include Abbott Molecular, Sysmex Corporation, Quest Diagnostics
Incorporated, ARUP Laboratories, Inc., and Warnex Laboratories, Inc.
for diagnostics test products and services, and QIAGEN N.V. for
sample preparation solutions and research products. The company is
headquartered in Berlin, Germany, and has a wholly owned subsidiary,
Epigenomics Inc., in Seattle, WA, USA. For more information, please
visit Epigenomics' website at www.epigenomics.com
About Warnex
Warnex (www.warnex.ca) is a life sciences company devoted to
protecting public health by providing laboratory services to the
pharmaceutical and healthcare sectors. Warnex Analytical Services
provides pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies with a variety of
quality control services, including chemistry, chromatography,
microbiology, method development and validation, and stability
studies. Warnex Bioanalytical Services specializes in bioequivalence
and bioavailability studies for clinical trials. Warnex Medical
Laboratories provides specialized testing for the healthcare industry
as well as pharmaceutical and central laboratory services. Warnex
PRO-DNA Services offers DNA identification tests for paternity,
maternity and other family relationships, as well as for immigration
and forensic testing purposes. Warnex has three facilities located in
Laval and Blainville, Quebec, and Thunder Bay, Ontario.
CAUTION REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS BY WARNEX
Certain statements contained in this news release are forward-looking
and are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, known and
unknown. For information identifying known risks and uncertainties,
relating to financial resources, liquidity risk, key customers and
business partners, credit risk, foreign currency risk, government
regulations, laboratory facilities, volatility of share price,
employees, suppliers, and other important factors that could cause
actual results to differ materially from those anticipated in the
forward-looking statements, please refer to the heading Risks and
Uncertainties in Warnex's most recent Management's Discussion and
Analysis, which can be found at www.sedar.com. Consequently, actual
results may differ materially from the anticipated results expressed
in these forward-looking statements.
Epigenomics legal disclaimers. This communication expressly or
implicitly contains certain forward-looking statements concerning
Epigenomics AG and its business. Such statements involve certain
known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which could
cause the actual results, financial condition, performance or
achievements of Epigenomics AG to be materially different from any
future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by
such forward-looking statements. Epigenomics AG is providing this
communication as of this date and does not undertake to update any
forward-looking statements contained herein as a result of new
information, future events or otherwise.
The information contained in this communication does not constitute
nor imply an offer to sell or transfer any product, and no product
based on this technology is currently available for sale by
Epigenomics in the United States of America or Canada. The analytical
and clinical performance characteristics of any Epigenomics product
based on this technology which may be sold at some future time in the
United States of America or Canada have not been established.
end of announcement euro adhoc
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Further inquiry note:
Epigenomics AG
Dr. Achim Plum
Sen. VP Corporate Development
Tel: +49 30 24345 368
achim.plum@epigenomics.com
Branche: Biotechnology
ISIN: DE000A0BVT96
WKN: A0BVT9
Index: Prime All Share, Technology All Share
Börsen: Frankfurt / regulated dealing/prime standard
Berlin / free trade
Hamburg / free trade
Stuttgart / free trade
Düsseldorf / free trade
München / free trade